#not wanting to take it easy even though it's a gateway for success

[omegalomania]

people bitching and moaning about fob "turning mainstream" as if that was never the entire point of fall out boy. that's In the goddamn dna of the band, it's baked into the ethos of why the band started in the first damn place. to be accessible to kids and especially to girls, who were often ridiculed and shunted out of the hardcore community. to be a gateway to bands that aren't as mainstream. to comment on the society they live in, as they live in it. people act like fall out boy "turning mainstream" was some kind of "betrayal" when from the start they were seizing on the trends of the time, putting their unique, unhinged fall out boy spin on them, and shooting them back out as a funhouse mirror. take this to your grave capitalized on the pop-punk zeitgeist that was big in the late 90s and early aughts and put their own spin on it: enmeshed catchy choruses with high-dexterity lyrical & linguistic skewerwork. infinity on high was basically a massive critique of the scene they were in - this ain't a scene it's a goddamn arm's race is a fucking thesis statement on what it is to be catapulted into fame in an industry that wants nothing more than a thousand cookie-cutter copycat acts of a successful formula, and fall out boy WAS the formula everyone desperately wanted to emulate. american beauty / american psycho blended sampling and modern hip-hop stylings with polished pop-rock and pointed those songs back at the snapshot of the 2010s we all lived in: commenting on racial injustice and the freeze-frame nature of relevancy. but even then they weren't doing it quite right - because fall out boy never does things quite right, they're never quite conventional, whether it's wentz's darkly confessional lyrics double-bagged in metaphor or stump's distinctive clear tenor or trohman's inescapable rock 'n roll edge or hurley's thunderous hardcore-punk-rock soul.

this band has always been too clever for its own critics, is the thing. but then, they always knew that. they knew they had a thriving fanbase of largely female fans so they were going to be mocked and belittled and ridiculed. they weren't quite right. they weren't quite so easy to market. pete wentz had to have all his hard edges filed off and cut down to size, skin lightened, literally whitewashed ("i feel like a photo that's been overexposed") to hell and back, even as he was marketed as the pretty boy of the band. and the other three members never even bothered with the spotlight: the soft-spoken vegan straightedge anarchist drummer and the wry, wisecracking, whip-clever guitarist who was more concerned with being the connective tissue than anything and the reticent vocalist who sang the words and wrote an awful lot of music but wasn't really the guy fronting the band. wentz's charisma carried the band, because the rest of them were really just some guys and never aspired to be anything else.

fall out boy is too pop. fall out boy is too mainstream. fall out boy isn't the real poster child of the emo movement. other bands are better. even within fall out boy's own narrative, they are repeatedly ignored, sidelined, and belittled, as though they weren't one of the only acts from the big 00s emo-pop movement to successfully not just survive the transition from the aughts to the '10s, and then later from the '10s to the '20s, but to thrive in it without banking on nostalgia. this band was supposed to be a flash in the pan. they weren't supposed to last and they weren't supposed to get big. they started off in joe's parents' attic because joe and pete were sick of how exclusionary and homophobic the hardcore scene was.

i think it's high time that people acknowledge how fall out boy has repeatedly succeeded where most of their other peers failed. cunning, clever, capable, and hyper-aware of the space they occupy in the culture surrounding them. that they are just as powerful, important, and artistic as any of the other bands in the scene that others might deify at their expense. that they deserve a hell of a lot more respect than they get from critics or hardcore punks who think they sold out. i hope one day they get that recognition. because they've earned it, time and time again, and the more i see people pushing back against that, the more certain i become of its inevitability.

[makemywebsite1]

Web Design and Costs: Understanding Factors Affecting Costs

A good web design takes constant effort, time, dedication, and definitely a good investment. The money you spend on a website designing process ultimately shows its success in the long run. But that does not imply that you have to spend more to see the results. Rather, it means investing more on some essential web design elements than the other.

That is why, understanding the factors that affect costs of web design in Adelaide is crucial. Knowing all the cost factors helps you to keep aside elements that will serve your website purpose in contrast to those that will not.

In this blog, we will list down each of the web design factors to make your decision clear and in line with your budget.

5 Web Design Factors Influencing Costs

Here are five factors that spike up or lower the costs of a web design in Melbourne and its suburbs.

1.    Vendor Type

First things first, the type of vendor you are choosing for designing a website matters the most. Freelancers, website builders, and even the web design company in Melbourne have their individual strengths and prices.

If you are a small business owner, hire a freelancer for their dedication and knowledge in designing small websites. Their rates are usually lower for small projects and their availability is wider on many platforms.

Conversely, if you are a professional with some experience in designing a website, you can opt for any free website builder. Even though you have no coding knowledge, the drag-and-drop features in these platforms are enough to create a quality website. But again, you need to have some prior experience of designing a website to make any sense.

Lastly, a web design company in Melbourne can provide their expert knowledge but at higher costs. Think of how well you want to portray your business and make a choice.

2.    Website Layout

A simple website layout has pre-set templates, minimal colours, and less features, and it will surely serve the purpose of a small business website. These types of layouts are often a best choice if your purpose behind designing a website is to generate leads or simply give some information about your brand.

However, you will have to level up your website expenses if your purpose is to turn your visitors into loyal customers. This brings up the role of customising a website design in Adelaide that specifically makes everything seem so genuine and clear. When you are choosing this option, costs can depend on how many elements you are customising.

If you want customised menus, social media icons, animations, hover effects, detailed graphics, and new typography, then costs will be higher than the costs for customising some of these elements.

3.    Number of Pages

Adding more web pages to a website can also increase the total web designing costs. Each page will take additional time and effort which calls in the expense. And if you need each Service page, Blog Section, and Gallery Page to have different layout, graphics, and that too in line with the brand guidelines, then costs of website design in Adelaide will ladder up.

However, if you are a local business in Adelaide or want to leverage personal branding, less is more to attract the focused audiences.

4.    Mobile-Responsive and User Experience

Making your website structure adjust to the smaller screens is going to evolve more in coming years. The costs of designing a mobile-responsive website is static and so is the cost for making it user-friendly.

User-friendly web design process involves putting wireframes, prototyping, and optimising the layout so that the overall website looks neat and easy to navigate.

5.    Integration of Third-Party Tools and Testing

If your website requires third-party payment gateways, live chat plugins, or social media profiles, then the web design company in Melbourne will charge more. You will have to find a professional who can accommodate your website design with these integrations without altering it. Additionally, testing a web design for bugs and accessibility on various platforms are also a part of the costs. If you can find a professional web design service that can provide maintenance services at no extra cost, you are good to go.

Final Words

We hope you find this blog useful. Web designing is a process that requires significant time, effort, and expert thought process. All the above stated costs behind designing a website are in line with the type of website you want to create.

The idea is simple, the more interactive and trending features will add costs for a web design in Adelaide. While it depends on your personal choices and objectives, web designing is a one-time investment that makes your website more successful and convertible. Make sure that you choose the right web design company for maximum benefits.

[molsons112000]

So my baseball coach, he told me that I made the team at the end of freshman year and that when tryouts come for baseball sophomore year, don't worry about it.You're already made the team... and what did he do after tryouts?When the list came up to make the team for sophomore year, he cut me.. and then I went to the coach's office and I said, why have you cut me? Why didn't I make the team?And he said, well, you had a bad tryout. You told me to take it easy during tryout. S remember, and you told me I already pre-made the team. So don't worry about expending yourself. During tryouts take it lightly... And then he said, oh yeah, that's right. I did say that to you and he's like. I did promise you you already made the team. Because I was exceptional as a freshman baseball player. Truly in the field I pitched as well. I was a pitcher.A catcher, a third baseman, a right fielder... and I pitched a no hitter before... And And so I was very successful on the mound... But I hurt my arm at the end of freshman year. Yes, I ended up accidentally throwing out my arm and it hurt like a son of a b****... And then I had to work myself back in, but my arm was not as strong as it was before... Yes, even when I recovered, I think I was yeah, say, ninety five percent of what I was or ninety percent of what my arm strength was before.... kind of like what happened to Kerry woods when he injured his arms are mark Pryor when the integer's arm, they didn't come back stronger. Now tommy john's surgery actually made the arms stronger... They hurt the arm, but the way the surgery was done. It tightened things up, making the arm even stronger.So pitchers like the surgery because it improved their arm strength... babe Ruth was an All Star pitcher, and they wanted him in the lineup. His bat every day, so they switched him to an outfielder, so he could be in the lineup every day...

Ruth changed from pitcher to hitter in 1920. The first All Star Game was in 1932. Ruth played in the first All Star Game, but only as a hitter.May 2, 2022

https://www.quora.com › Did-Bab...

Did Babe Ruth ever pitch in the All-Star Game? - Quora

I didn't know babe, Ruth. Was this good of a picture? I heard he was a great pitcher, but he won eighty seven games and he had an earn run average of 2.16! Though he was even better than I thought.... but the point being is, sometimes you can move people around, even if they come up and you draft them in one position, they might be better in another position.... this is what I hate about steroids. Babe, Ruth and Hank Aaron, did it without. And now you have all these guys that hit home runs and threaten their records, and this destroys the people who invested in their memorabilia.... this also diminishes their accomplishments!!!! It's one thing if you work on it and you got better skills, you learn how the perfect better. That's all fair, but when you take place, things that artificially enhance, like steroids, that's not fair!!!! And babe, ruth could have been better.He had a little bit of a drinking problem.Think about if he didn't have a drinking problem!!!! Paint karen didn't have a drinking problem!!!!

Babe Ruth is known as one of the greatest sports players in American history. What many people don't realize is that he took part in heavy alcohol consumption throughout his professional baseball career, which spanned from 1914 to 1935.

https://www.gatewayfoundation.org › ...

18 Athletes Who Drank Too Much Alcohol | Gateway Foundation

More about Babe Ruth

But think about the player, babe Ruth would have been Hank Karen didn't have a drinking problem. Babe Ruth struggled consistently with alcoholism and it diminished his game and if he didn't drink and was more on training and taking care of his body. Oh my God, what no one would have ever surpassed his record, I mean, it would have taken a long, long time. But he did things that diminished his ability.... yes, it's like Daryl's Strawberry. His drug and alcohol problem destroyed his career.... So again, he would have been incredible, but again, those negative actions unbelievably truly destroyed his career, and he consistently underperformed to his natural ability!!!!

Getting back to my story. I forgot why I quit. I know the coach screwed me over and I wasn't happy with what he was doing to me, he really destroyed my esteem.... but the reason that I quit baseball is that I thought the coach was being unfair to Phil Mark... so I quit the team in support of him... yes, he quit and then I quit as well because the coach did wrong to him. He was doing wrong to me. Already, but then he further did wrong to him, and I said, screw him and I walked across the field in the middle of the game in protest... Now, this is between endings, but they had to wait for me to clear the field I didn't run off the field, I walked across the middle of the field on purpose, making everybody wait until I got off the field... I wanted everybody to know.... so yes, at times I protested, and this has gotten me in hot water with many people, but when people do wrong, I'm willing to give up everything in turn to support them!!!! So this is what god expected from Jen, with me, when I was having my downturn... That sea would do whatever it takes to support me to get me better!!! And this is why I know he's going to destroy you. You're not doing everything to make me healthy. You terrorize me constantly, and so he's going to condemn you. He's going to destroy you!!!! But you can see the comment, I put the front of the yearbook, and then exactly what he said with it says, Phil.... and I also supported Phil when he dated Janice, and I also supported Phil and offered my house and free to stay, and I tell them whatever I can do for you. It's all on me... And he chose to sleep outside my house, but I welcomed them in and I said he could move in and whatever I needed to do to help him overcome his challenge, I would help him!!! We were very good friends... and the reason it went wrong with Janice is because Phil had some psychological challenges and Janice didn't know how the deal with the issue correctly.... phil never did anything but love her, but he had some challenges.... nothing of abuse.... but he also had challenges with our coach in high school and he had challenges with dot Kohler. He was his counselor plus a coach and Phil had lots of issues... And he played at northern Arizona as a quarterback... I didn't even know he was in Arizona. At the same time, I was all right, we would have hooked up and hung out sometimes.... and then I invited Phil on my Facebook and he would make comments and I would make supporting comments trying to help him in his situation so I didn't criticize him or chastise him I tried to understand and help him... but that's not what's been done to me!!!! What you do is that what you sow is what you reap, and if I don't start weeping what I've given, you're all dead!!!!

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[invui]

Can I request Aruji-sama want to surprise the butlers by Kabedoned them just to see if they will flustered (blushing face hehe) with Berrien, Hawles, and Fennesz pretty please 🥺🥺🥺

When Aruji-sama kabedons them

this request was so cute that of course i had to accept it and since i have never thought about this before (idk why)

characters: Berrien, Haures, and Fennesz

Berrien Cliane

Berrien may be a little flirty but he’s going to definitely be flustered

“O-oh, this is interesting…”

You would either feel bad or go feral depending on how you feel about Berrien

Or you can just do both

It would only take a matter of time for Berrien to actually grasp the situation and turn it over

Maybe he would give some flirty comments but there would definitely be stuttering since he isn’t that invincible in romantic situations like these

Your strong grip to the wall was basically iron, meaning that Berrien had no escape whatsoever

Well, he could just push you considering the position he’s in but that’s the exact reason why he can’t

You guys would stay in that position for a few minutes before you decided that it was enough

Fortunately, Berrien didn’t get a panic attack from that but wait until he turns the tables on you

Haures Clifford

If you are a girl, better prepare for messy stuttering and uncontrollable blushing

Huge chance he’s going to faint right in front of you but he’s the leader of the butlers, there is no way he’s going to give up, right?

If you are a boy, he still going to be flustered nonetheless but I believe he’s able the handle it to some degree like Berrien

To be honest, Haures is an easy target to kabedon and to fluster which is a complete gateway to heaven

*insert feral screeching*

He is definitely going to avoid eye contact mainly because he doesn’t want to know how close your face is in front of him

If you ever get the opportunity to do the you-know-what, you are obviously going to take it if you are a Haures lover

Take the dangerous way and kiss him to your heart’s content

get it ig

Either way, your mission to make Haures flustered was definitely a success

Fennesz Oswald

AI YAI YAI YOU’RE MY LITTLE BUTTERFLY

Fennesz would probably be the calm one among the the three

He would chuckle and ask if you were alright

There would definitely be blush across his face and a rather awkward smile, which would look cute af

stuttering may also be present but he’s going to keep it minimal since he knows how to handle challenging situations already (im looking at you boschi)

He’s going to sit up straight but your strong ass grip is saying no so he basically can’t escape

This may be a little daring for me to think about this but since he can’t sit up straight, he’s going to turn you over and kabedon you back

He definitely had no ill intention in doing that, he would of course check if he had hurt you in some type of way

You would, of course, be blushing from his actions

Fennesz did turn you over pretty quickly considering he’s pretty fast

This attempt was either a success or a reciprocation to your actions, even though you know full well that was his only choice escape from the situation

Well, it’s not like you hated it

i hoped you enjoy these new hcs! i do apologize if this was pretty late hehe ^^; but overall, i did enjoy writing it since it‘s almost Valentine’s Day. Happy Chinese New Year!

[peachysamu]

Word count: 954

Genre: fluff

A/N: for @teesumu After You’ve Read Angst collab. It’s a lot longer than intended. 900+ words spiraling over high fiving?! Idk how but it happened.

“Did you see?!” Atsumu’s calling your name and running to you like the tornado he is. Hands up in the air and barreling towards you, you lift yours only by reflex. He slams his palms against yours in celebration of himself and grins. The unfiltered kind that goes from cheek to cheek. It hides nothing and it holds everything – every bit of himself that makes him so bright. He goes off on a rant about the quick he just pulled off with his twin and you’re nodding your head accordingly, but your thoughts are distracted by the feeling in your fingertips.

“Did you see?!” He asks one last time.

You clasp your hands behind your back in a desperate attempt to keep the warmth. In a desperate attempt to contain this sensation. And you nod.

“I did.”

“Samu,” A lazy look tilts its way towards you in the most minute of movements. “High five.”

“No.”

You’re not shocked by the most immediate of responses. He does what he wants and right now, giving you a high five is not it.

“Come on.” You think begging might work in your favor with a 50% success rate depending on the day. “Please. Just one high five!”

“No.” He’s not moved an inch but there’s a twinkle there that makes it known that you have a chance.

“Ma made me karaage for lunch.” His head fully faces you and you know you’ve got his attention now. “High five me and I’ll share.”

In one quick movement, he slaps his hand down yours. The contact stings and leaves a tingle in your fingertips that dissipates just as quickly as it came. When you lift your palm in front of you, eyes taking a cautious care at the expanse of the appendage, you frown.

Nothing.

You feel nothing.

High fives are supposed to last only a second. Less even. Setting your pencil down, you give yourself a high five.

clap

Head tilting in thought, you calculate the amount of time passed to complete the action. Affirming your suspicions, you nod your head in certainty. Yes, less than a second.

So why does it feel like your high fives with Atsumu have been lasting more than that? You grab your pencil and begin tapping it against your notebook, finding the thumping a calming note to the frenzied song in your head. Ever since the first time he high fived you, you’ve made an effort to attend every game and every bit of practice just to feel the high again in the tips of your fingers. He’s made a habit of it himself. Miya Atsumu high fives you after a game, in between classes. Miya Atsumu high fives you just like any other of his teammates, because you’re just his friend.

“You know that high fives are the gateway to handholding?” In a moment of weakness, Osamu now knows your greatest secret: your current obsession for high fives, specifically high fives from his stuipd twin brother. You want to flick Osamu right on the forehead because it’s such a high school boy thing to say.

But then why are you lying in bed, looking up at the ceiling at 11pm, plagued by the memory of Atsumu’s hands against your fingertips?

The obsession doesn’t stop though you know this all means nothing. You’ve started taking mental notes at every interaction.

At 0.5 seconds, you notice how massive his hands are compared to yours. You think they might be large enough to hold all your worries. You want to be cradled by them, nest in them and make yourself home.

clap

At 0.8 seconds, the contact lasts long enough for you to notice the warmth that emanates from him. Like freshly dried laundry. So cozy, so warm.

clap

At 1.2 seconds you realize that Atsumu’s hands are uncharacteristically soft. You nearly break down in your room at the obsessive pondering the realization gave you. Atsumu’s never been soft aside from outlying instances. He’s always been a hard pill to swallow. Unapologetically  himself, there’s a lot about him that’s rough. His crass mouth. His sometimes insensitive attitude, but his hands? At 1.2 seconds, you find, they are so, so soft.

clap

At 1.8 seconds, it finally clicks. You know they are lingering, no mistaking it. There’s a hint of nostalgia and misty tears in the air as you celebrate graduation. A milestone accomplished, Atsumu high fives you in congratulations and in the extra 0.6 seconds that follow, you stare with a ferocity he matches. There’s a twitching in your fingertips, aching to separate and create a space that only he can fill in. You already know what this feels like. Palm against palm, tips against tips, you yearn to know how it feels to have his fingers between yours.

“Tokyo, huh?” Hands still against each other, your voice is a little too soft for the excited clamoring of the graduation hall. “Do your best out there. I’ll miss you.”

“You don’t have to.”

Another 0.4 seconds pass. His eyes flit side to side and a blush grows on his cheeks. You catch Osamu’s teasing voice behind him, but you’re rather dumbfounded yourself to process it. Habit has you unconsciously timing this point of contact, rendering you a living stopwatch rather than a human being. Atsumu’s always been easy to read and his nervousness transfers to you, resetting your clock and your heart at the same time. He slinks his fingers in between and you take note of every single moment. Slender fingers and the ridges of his bones, Atsumu grabs on and makes his claim. He holds onto you and your restarting heart.

thump thump

BONUS: Atsumu high fives you the first time and thinks, “Damnit, I just friend zoned myself.”

[hes-writer]

drivers’ license

Summary: harry teaches y/n how to drive

Warnings: angst, a little bit of fluff

Word Count: 1805 words

A/N: the ‘blonde girl’ has no face claim.

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MASTERLIST

_____

There were many milestones that Y/N strived to remember; things that she wanted to embed in her memory because each fleeting moment was a few seconds away from being lost.  She was afraid that in a blink of an eye; everything would disappear, that she wouldn’t even remember what had been forgotten.

But she would never forget him. Harry. The best friend who taught her how to drive with the utmost patience, calm correction of her mistakes and gentle voice to ease her worry as soon as the shift went from ‘P’ to ‘D’.  He was there with precise instruction, detailing each rule and advice that would help her acquire her drivers’ license.  He was tolerant of her constant ability to doubt herself, always assuring Y/N that she could do it.

It was silly why Y/N was scared of driving.  It was because it felt so grown up, so adult-like and it bought a sense of responsibility.  It meant fully committing to adulthood.  There was a shift that everything was changing.  And by that, she meant everything.

.

.

.

It seemed like a distant memory now.

Y/N took the leap of faith to start learning how to drive, trusting him to teach her the ways. Harry was her light in a dark day.  His smile was bright enough for her to admit that through the haze of her nervousness; it wasn’t just caused by her fear of handling and operating a vehicle.

It also had to do with the way Y/N’s stomach fluttered with butterflies when she had parked in an empty lot, Harry sitting on the passenger’s seat as they talked to each other about anything and everything their minds could conjure up at that very moment. No filter.

How Harry enthusiastically shared his excitement about Y/N’s newfound ability to drive to and fro from her apartment to his place.  They would be able to go on drives on the coast with nostalgic songs blasting on the radio, screaming the lyrics at the top of their lungs where no one would hear them.  The wind sifting through his hair to which she commented on maybe getting it snipped; it was why Harry opted to not trust Y/N with scissors anymore after a close-call with the sharp tool.  She didn’t know why he had decided to trust her with it in the first place--she was a clumsy one.

Yet Harry continued to spend each and every second of his free time with her, even when he was booked to the hilt with mandatory meetings and unplanned fan encounters, Y/N stood by his side as an unofficial photographer.  The dopey grin on her face must’ve been permanent every time that she was around him.  Sometimes she looked through the screen of the phone and wondered just how much she would break if Harry wasn’t around in her life and all she had to remember him by was the captured portrait of his kind aura leaking through the device; almost as if he was there right beside her because Y/N seemed to label her best memories with him around.

Harry was it for her.  Even if her feelings were not mutual, Y/N would take being his closest friend over being a stranger because at least she was near him.  Luckily, Harry returned her affection.  Though, it was humiliating to vouch for a relationship that would have to go through troughs and trenches in order to be rendered successful.  It seemed impossible with her stoic life compared to his fast-paced, always moving, always travelling situation.

Y/N was willing to work for it.  If she were to make a list of things she wanted most, it would be the unconditional love from the one that meant the most to her.  Harry was exactly what she wanted--what she needed.  Y/N didn’t know what she did in her past life or even now that caused the universe to gift her with a presence as charming and graceful as his but she would do it every day if it meant coming home to his warm embrace.

But Harry wasn’t so keen on commitment.  There was no denying that his thorough discourse of relationships hindered his ability to fully trust any future partners and Y/N understood that.  The distance gets to peoples’ heads, even his, admittedly.  Loneliness seeps through his fingers, directing his body to strangely familiar bodies. Ones whom he was not currently committed to. Wandering hands.

Despite that, Y/N knew that Harry was a good person.  Some may call her a fool for giving him a chance but he truly was a genuine guy.  She had seen it when he was coddled up, blankets bunched all the way to his chin, only showcasing his angelic face.  The crease of his brows free from any worries.  He was simply him.  She had seen him when he was the most vulnerable.

Harry was a romantic person.  He loved to love.  He adored the concept of having someone behind him, beside him and in front of him at all times to catch him when he fell, to support him in any new journeys and to lead him when he was lost.  Y/N could understand his shortcomings, aiming to better the other person instead of putting them down.  She wanted a dialogic approach instead of having a conversation where all she pointed out was his bad qualities.

What she couldn’t comprehend was how easily he had lied to her.

She wasn’t asking for much; Y/N promised to wait for him until he was ready. Until his previous baggage was deemed easy enough to carry, or at least when Harry was able to talk about it without anointing skepticism to his actions.  Though, Harry had blatantly disregarded her purity to be patient towards him.  Basically, he had told her that he was not ready for a relationship yet here he was now, holding hands with another girl.  The blonde woman had caused insecurities to sprout from deep within her since Harry kept citing her age and maturity, adding that she was ‘different’ from the rest as if he hadn’t mentioned it previously.

.

.

.

Y/N would ask herself from time to time; when a tree falls in a forest, does it make a sound?

She compared it to the times’ Harry’s voice cracked in the middle of singing songs that embedded itself in her memory and the way his ears tinted a blush pink even under the night sky after Y/N quickly gave a glance in his direction.  She reminisced about the times when he would explain any ideas he had about new songs, thoroughly immersing not only himself but her as well, in his art.  He would sometimes stop midway as if lost in thought when really he was just mesmerized by the slope of her nose and the pucker of her lips.

He was so passionate.  So indulged and fervent in making sure everything he did was one-hundred percent, authentically him.  Harry spoke with grit when he was overly zealous and he tended with a soft voice when he felt vulnerable.

It was glaringly loud; Y/N could hear him everywhere she went.  But now that he was gone—out of reach—did those conversations ever really happen?  Was she even present when Harry shyly played a song he had been working on for her, singing stripped with just his raspy voice, serenading her with a tune describing how much gratitude he felt that she was present in his life.  He appreciated her so much for accepting him even when the world criticized his every action. For being there when he seemingly felt lonely.

.

.

.

Life itself was funny to her.

Sometimes Y/N wondered how she could let herself be vulnerable with somebody else other than herself.  It was plastered everywhere—love never lasts.  Relationships come and go, people leave and never return, friends, drift apart and detaching from oneself was even possible.  It was practically the motto of anyone searching for love—looking for a sense of comfort and belonging, yet she was practically crushed by the overwhelming reality that it may never happen.

She hated the way her heart longed for him to be near as if when he was too far away it ached in pain.  Y/N disliked the feeling of being out of place because where she truly belonged was in his arms.  Harry’s nose nuzzled at the top of her head, inhaling her scent as though it was the last time he would hold her—for a while at least.

And it really was because the next day he had left to catch a flight a mere continent away.

____

The night before was special to Y/N. Harry left with a promise of ‘forever’ and that he would return straight to her after his tour ends.  It was a dainty promise but Y/N chose to believe him because it was Harry and he never strayed from his words.

He promised to return and Y/N had sworn to wait for him. They both agreed, after admitting their feelings the night before he left, that a long-distance relationship was not how either of them wanted to begin.  Although their friendship had lasted years prior to finding out the bubbling flame between them, crossing the line as seamlessly as possible was the gateway to a healthy relationship.

Y/N could hardly wait for his return now that she was driving alone to where she needed to be.  Harry was always at the back of her mind no matter how hard she tried to distract herself.  He was attached to the episodic memory of Y/N successfully learning how to drive; that was something she couldn’t really forget.

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.

.

Y/N unlocked the car doors, breathing deeply as soon as she was situated on the driver’s seat. The beeping of the car ringing in her ears until she was reminded to close the car door shut.

She blinked her lids tightly, feeling salty tears pooling at her waterline.  It was a sad excuse of trying to not start sobbing right then and there but she was successful.

Starting the engine, Y/N sniffled as she adjusted her mirror, making sure that she could see through them before driving off. As she focused her eyes on the road, Harry’s voice repeated in her head.

She didn’t know where she was going. Y /N didn’t really have a destination to arrive to because her brain was filled with images of Harry and her.  Kissing, hugging, looking at each other as if nobody else in the mattered; not even Y/N.

And it hurt a lot because she kept her promise of waiting for him to return but it seemed like he had no trouble filling the hole in his heart, unlike her.

He moved on.

_____

[thisdreamplace]

10 Days: Just Choose Happiness

Guidelines:

1. Choose happiness

2. Focus strictly on self (who I really am... I am affirming how EASY this is and how LIGHT I always feel)

3. SATs

4. “I Am” meditation (optional)

Why? 

Just to test the waters. I noticed, there HAS to be a thin line between allowing yourself to feel emotions and then when you start to dwell in them. For a while, I would get into these days of just being constantly anxious but would allow myself to be... then I thought, well, what if I just chose happiness despite anything? Am I just choosing sadness without realizing? Can I really just CHOOSE to be happy? Let’s find out.

I also was inspired by this Neville quote. In fact, I love it so much. It always makes me laugh! But truly, this quote is something so many of us need to hear, myself included.

Many times I have heard someone say: "I believe that imagining creates reality, but I once imagined something and it never came to pass." Then I ask: "What are you doing, saying: 'I once imagined it' and not imagining it now? For God's name is I Am, not I did! Always thinking of God as someone outside of himself, man finds it difficult to keep the tense, but God is the human imagination and there is no other God. - Neville Goddard

As Neville said, God’s name is I AM. Not, I did. Therefore, I Am and I will continue to be and thus, I will continue to stay in my most desirable states. I will choose happiness.

Reflection:

These 10 days were... amazing. Honestly. And I recommend this “challenge” or “experiment” or whatever to anyone who wants to seriously make this a lifestyle. Because honestly, the law is a lifestyle. It’s inevitable, so, might as well make it work for you. Anyway, there were so many cool things that happened and I will only mention this briefly, but, I know I am on a clear bridge of events right now for something I have wanted for so long. I don’t like paying attention to bridges because:

1. Giving them too much attention insinuates (in my opinion) you don’t have what you want yet. And, I 100000% have what I want. Right now.

2. Giving them too much attention in the past has made me incredibly anxious and then I end up feeling like I’m back at square 1.

But I mean, is that not cool regardless? Anyway, out of these 10 days, I had 8 great days and 2 days where I had some anxiety. I noticed when I’m anxious, manifesting feels hard because it feels like I’m forcing something that’s not real. So, I would change my focus back to the point of this challenge. Focusing on my own inner world. Getting what I want feels easy even when I’m anxious. Good things happen even if I’m anxious. And uhh, they did!! haha a direct circumstance I was worried about turned out so much better than I thought?? Not an anxious moment went by where things didn’t turn out great for me anyway.

But, I tried to make sure I found a balance between feeling low and staying focused on happiness and good things. I never want to push anything aside, so like usual, I would just twist it. “I feel anxious and yet, everything is working out for me!” I noticed it, felt it, but then I’d allow myself to at least be happy in my mind. If our imagination is the one true reality, we have that choice.

I realized, in the past, I was so use to brushing compliments/love under the rug. I would reassure myself they don’t mean what they’re saying. haha not anymore! I use this as ammunition now, to keep me persisting. The 3D is literally reflecting my hard inner work. I am not going to let the old man stop me! :) In fact, love is so easy for me to receive and accept. This was one of my thoughts I kept reminding myself of on this challenge. Plus, I will briefly mention, my biggest focus of change I wanted when learning about the law all those months ago, are centered around my experiences/relationships with others. When it comes to this journey, painful moments regarding others had been the old man who loved to pull me back into the old story and the victim mentality. So, I will say, I am seeing beautiful progress in this area and it’s all so lovely!

Best Manifestations:

- Tons of hang outs!! I hung out with someone almost every night and I even got to hang out with someone I wasn’t expecting? And it was the best thing ever. It was all so amazing!

- Lots of compliments/love. Literally, the compliments I got during this time was the shit I absolutely love to hear. “You’re one of the only people in this world I truly feel comfortable with.” “You’re my favorite person.” “I am so glad I manifested you as my spirit guide.” HAHA someone literally said that! And then the super sweet asks I got on here too! It was wonderful!

- Sports wins? Okay, this one is funny to me because I could care less about sports. But, my family is a big fan of sports so whatever. In passing, I wanted my family’s team to win and they did. Twice. After the first one, I did get super anxious about them winning again. And they won anyway. Yeah, after this success I am totally over being scared of anxiety. I have proven to myself, time and time again, that anxiety won’t stop my manifestations from happening.

- Amazing conversation that really aligned with these 10 days. During one of my hangouts with a friend, we ended up talking about manifestation/Neville/infinite realities. Didn't think that’d happen?? I’m always scared to bring this up because, you know, mixed reactions. But she made is easy because she kind of spoke on something similar right before, so I thought it’d be the perfect gateway into the law. Thing was though, this friend was SUPER receptive. On top of that, she totally, on her own, spoke to me like my focus of these 10 days!! Like, sometimes I’d admit some of my limited beliefs and she’d just be like, “no. just decide. If we’re creating our reality you can literally just decide.” And I’m like damn. It IS that simple! And all I have to do is decide. It’s that simple. Her responses really mirrored this challenge, it was so freaking cool. She literally said, “just decide you already know everything and this is easy. We can do that. It’s our reality.” And it was like wow, YOU GOT ME AGAIN. hahahahahah So this just reinforced everything for me.

Best Self-Concept Improvements:

- My MOOD. I really did decide to be happy and so... I was. I also had tons of energy and usually felt super playful. :)

- Deeper understanding of info (clearly a direct manifestation from my affirmations!) Like, rereading some of the things I found inspirational hits so different. Like, it’s not just inspirational anymore. The words actually resonate... on a deeper level for me. And I actually freaking get it. Like, yes, this is the truth! The real truth! I am moving away from intellectually understanding the law to truly feeling and knowing the law to be true.

- It’s easier to give myself unconditional love AND it’s easier to revise on the spot. I had plenty of human moments but it was so easy not to dwell and just hop back on the wagon. Plus, I was instantly revising like crazy these past 10 days. As soon as a person said something that didn’t align with my desire, it was an easy revise and I was able to keep going along happily, because they actually said something wonderful in my mind.

- It is so easy to catch the feeling of having what I want. Like seriously, and it feels so great. Anytime I want to experience something, I know I can just tap into my 4D world, experience it, and feel great. Because I know that’s where everything that happens in the 3D takes place first, so why wouldn’t I be more than happy to my inner world amazing?

Conclusion:

I would say my biggest take away is that, if our imagination is where everything happens and the 3D is just a mirror... let’s shift our focus to what really matters. Our minds. Where everything is happening and where everything is actually taking place. The 3D only hurts our feelings because we allow it to. We spend so much time focusing on the law so that it gives us a beautiful result in the 3D, but even Neville said you must turn inward and change your self-concept first. So why do we ignore that very fact? The more we turn our attention towards the 4D, the more fun and effortless this all becomes. I will definitely be doing more of these.

I’d also like to credit u/chocolate-trains from Reddit because they do experiments every week and they inspired me to try some of my own. :)

Anyway, happy manifesting, y’all! 💖

[uniformbravo]

having a full on existential crisis over an episode of anime i watched tonight

it all started with big time rush

in 2009 a sitcom called big time rush aired for the first time on nickelodeon; it was about a group of four teenaged boys from minnesota who move to hollywood under a famous producer to become his next big boy band sensation. a simple premise, launched into unprecedented success, resulting in four seasons of musical shenanigans, three full music albums, and three big concert tours, including international shows. the band, both fictional and real life, featured four attractive young men by the names of kendall, james, carlos, and logan. they quickly gained a fan base of mostly teenage girls, which resulted in online spaces created for the purpose of sharing their passion, and as is common in such online communities, this certainly involved fanfiction- lots of it.

enter me, a teen in high school who loved to write fanfiction. my big time journey began the day my younger sister decided to put on the show big time rush in the living room, where i sat at the family computer typing away. the noise caught my attention, and i got sucked into the episode. there was a boy wearing a dress on the screen. i became interested.

i watched more of the show. i typed its name into the search bar on the website fanfiction dot net. i had a friend at school who shared my interest in fanfiction, particularly of the slash variety. i introduced her to this new show i had been watching. she shared a fanfic she had enjoyed immensely with me. we dragged each other into the world of big time rush fanfiction reading and writing.

it took over my life; i lived and breathed big time rush. i began posting my own stories to fanfiction dot net. i received positive feedback; i met people. i made friends- two people in particular who became very close friends. we communicated through ffn’s private messaging system, then through email. we talked every day, we wrote stories for and with each other, we exchanged phone numbers. it was one of these friends who introduced me to the website called tumblr, where fellow fans of our beloved big time rush gathered and talked about it- a community.

it was a slow start- this website was new and unfamiliar to me- but eventually i got the hang of things and settled into my niche. i had fun, gained followers, met even more people. tumblr was a place not only for sharing one singular interest, but for accumulating all of your various interests and celebrating them in one place. it was through this aspect that i first learned of the up and coming band known as one direction.

they had released their first smash hit single and everyone was talking about it. i was wary, far too loyal to my beloved big time rush- but eventually i started to feel left out and in an effort to feel included, i decided to take the plunge and see what this “1d” was all about. it was intimidating, though- there was so much information, and no apparent beginner’s guide to tell me where to start. this drove me to making a post calling for a “one direction buddy” to take this role, to introduce me to all the most important aspects of this band. and my call was answered.

enter my wonderful friend cam, a follower of mine at the time. they were into both big time rush and one direction and were eager to provide me with all the information needed to get into 1d. while ultimately this venture didn’t amount to anything, as i lost interest in becoming a fan, my friendship with cam persisted and we grew very close. even as time went on and big time rush faded into the background to be replaced with newer, fresher interests, and our paths as fellow fandom members split, we kept in contact and remained friends. years and years of fandoms, years and years of friendship.

in the midst of the tenth year, cam developed a new interest, in a sport called ice hockey. as is tradition, they shared their passion with me, showing me their favorite team, highlighting their favorite members. we watched a game together. personally, i’ve never been one for sports, but i am quite into anime, which consists of many genres, including the “sports” genre. one in particular that i’ve enjoyed immensely in the past is the volleyball anime, haikyuu!!. this anime devotes a lot of time to explaining and depicting the sport in a way that makes it easy for any viewer to understand the rules and inner workings of volleyball. it’s exciting. it’s the first time i’ve ever even adjacently been invested in a sport. one could even call it a gateway into the world of sports.

all this to say, when i watched that game of ice hockey with cam, the same parts of my brain that loved haikyuu!! lit up and in a classic display of my specific brand of interest, i found myself yearning for the epic highs and lows of ice hockey, but in an animated format. an animated format originating in japan. a japanese animation. an anime. my curiosity burned a hole in my brain that resulted in a combination of the google search bar and the words, “hockey anime”.

to my disappointment, i found nothing- at least, not to the degree i was hoping. there is an upcoming anime, slated to air in the fall 2021 anime season, about a group of girls who form an ice hockey team together- as it is an original project rather than an adaptation, it remains to be seen whether the anime will fall into the category of “sports anime,” or if indeed it will lean much more closely to the “moe” genre. the latter is not what i had in mind during that particular search.

adding the anime called “pride of orange” to my “plan to watch” list on myanimelist dot com, i moved onto the next result: an article about an early 2010’s anime i had never heard of before. while not about the sport i was looking for, it featured a character whose signature weapon was a field hockey stick. it wasn’t even the right sport. it was a weak, insignificant link, but all was not lost.

i happen to have an affinity for watching anime i happen upon completely by random and know little to nothing about; i found the movie “anthem of the heart” purely coincidentally, when i searched the name “jun” as part of some research for one of my original characters and discovered that it was the main character of said movie, which i then watched and ended up enjoying quite a lot. another time, when i was at best buy one day i happened upon a dvd on their dedicated anime shelf for a movie called “hana and alice”, which i had never heard of before. i liked the box art, so i took a picture of it to remember the title and watched it on my own later that week; it became one of my favorite movies.

with these and other similar experiences in mind, i saved the anime in my “plan to watch” list, and, later that same week, began my watch of “sket dance.”

it’s a school comedy anime, one of my favorite genres, so it’s no surprise that after overcoming the initial skepticism i carry into every new show i watch it quickly became my new fixation. not an obsession, but something i was pleasantly surprised to find consistently enjoyable. the characters are fun, the humor is tight and fresh, and the stories are unexpectedly touching at the right moments. everything i like to see.

which brings us to tonight. the culmination of this ten plus year string of events and occurrences. getting into big time rush. joining tumblr. meeting cam. watching anime. searching for hockey anime.

i put down my apple(TM) pencil. i set my ipad aside. i downsized the ebook window i’d been referencing. i stretched; i was hungry and tired. i’d been rereading passages of various animorphs books all day. i needed a break. i needed to sit back with some food and an episode of my latest comfort watch, sket dance. it’d be nice to set the dramatic, tragic world of animorphs aside for something lighthearted and fun in its place.

well.

i sat down with my bowl of strawberries and played the episode. it finished. i watched another. this one broke the formula a bit, played with the art style. i was into it. the preview for the next episode was mysteriously blank, and short, stating only the title. it was intriguing. i’m down for the show to get a bit more serious for an episode, i thought. i’m down for some potential backstory for one of the main three. i’m ready.

i was not ready.

bruh.

b r u h .

next two episodes proceeded to take me out back and beat me to within an inch of my life, slowly at first and then all at once. barely made it out alive. questioning everything. how can a show, so silly and goofy, do that, to me. how could i let my guard down like that. how could i be so tricked, and deceived, and blindsided like this. i don’t know who to trust. i don’t know if i can trust again. whiplash so damaging, permanent. i thought i wanted answers. i thought i wanted to know backstory. i didn’t want this. i never wanted this. emptiness

how did it come to this, these twelve years of my life. had i known back then, would i have posted that fanfiction? would i have joined tumblr? would i have sook out a “one direction buddy”? a hollow husk of a person, i am left with only my thoughts to ponder this small history of mine. the things i could have done differently. the things others could have done differently. all these butterfly effect moments, adding up to what? culminating in what? it’s 2:26 am and i’m writing an essay on how shook i am over that episode instead of going to sleep. but i can’t just say nothing, you know? i need to put something out there, reach deep enough within myself to find the thing that’s still there, broken and huddled and tiny as it is. i need to feel some semblance of the self again. the me from before i watched this episode. the innocent version of myself, blissful in ignorance. it’s too late now.

that episode…………..was fucked up. that was seriously fucked up. im not okay bro they really just came in left field and slapped that in my face expecting me to get up and walk away just fine afterwards like No that isn’t how this Works y’all need to bundle some therapy sessions with ur episodes pullin that shit come ON

exhaustion is taking over the shock, i am simply tired now. i will fall asleep and when i wake up sket dance will be a happy fun show again with NO fucked up backstories ever Or Else. i’m fucking serious right now i’m gonna count to 3 and that shit better be retconned when i turn around,

screams

thank you

[tarotbubbletea]

L.I.S. ♑️ here again 😅. Can I ask about my future life? Like family/career stuff or something? It’s been on my mind for awhile. I’m sorry if it’s not specific enough.

Hi again  L.I.S. ♑️,

I got the following cards for you: 9 of Swords, Strength, 4 of Pentacles, Justice, 3 of Cups (back).

The past few years have not been easy for you. There may be a lot on your mind, and even though logically you know that you’re more than whatever negative has happened is gone now, your body and your mind are still holding on to the negativity, to some extent.

Keep your strength about you. “This too shall pass” keeps ringing for me, and that’s something to recall during both happy and bad moments. Happiness is on the horizon. Overthinking or being overly critical. If there are bad memories playing for you, or any regrets, this is a sign that it’s time to let go. There may be some bad habits you might’ve picked up that need to be curbed before this happiness can come to you. You may also need to work on your relationship with your mother, in order to move forward (not saying it feels like a severely strained relationship, but it’s something worth investing more effort into at this time).

Some other advice coming through is to be stingy your money, and perhaps even your time and energy. You might have perfectionist tendencies, and maybe even oscillate between giving it a 100, or no effort at all. Here’s a reminder to be meticulous with how much energy (in the form of time, effort, money) you want to be spending. This could also be hinting that it’s going to take some time for your career to get where you want it to go, so managing your money is a good idea for the time being.

It feels like you have a lot of ambition, and if you’ve been feeling lately that you haven’t been getting the same kind of energy that you’ve been putting in (both for family and career, but more so career), the tides will eventually turn. The Universe has no agenda except for balance, so if you’ve been feeling down in the dumps lately, trust that you’ll have your fair share of blessings eventually. Don’t be too hard on yourself in the meantime! There’s only so much one person can do.

Your friends seem to be a pivotal force in how your future plays out, so be discerning as to who you allow to influence your decisions. If there’s a good friend you’ve fallen out of touch with, now’s the time to rekindle your friendship.

I also pulled 2 Oracle cards for you: Security and Gateway. Start with expressing gratitude for the things you have, and let the magic unfold. I feel like you’re bound to get to a level of security you desire, but there might be a period of... almost... magical growth you’ll need to undergo. Remember that action creates action, so take it slow and small.

Wish you love, success, and happiness!

[dustedandsocial]

Need to jot something down and get it out of my system, so I don’t keep responding to terrible tweets

It seems important to at least understand the implications of basic communist principles, regardless of what position we’re in on the left currently. That does not feel like utopianism or drawing blueprints to me, it feels like something that helps flesh out our motives and strategies right now. Regardless of communism’s likelihood, those principles tell us who we are and how we should act and clarifies our struggle. 

It could be that a stateless, classless, moneyless society is a contradiction-free utopia, heaven on earth, and also no less than 1,700 years away. Yet I think people could find the contradiction-free version of communism impossible while still maintaining a desire to pursue a communist society without illusions. Furthermore, communist principles are not actually suspended in our vision of the future, they involve beliefs and actions that have been with us for probably thousands of years. Communism would be a process of realization, not an alien consciousness seeping into the world.

This is partly why I think the emphasis on a distinction between lower and higher phase communism is unhelpful. Not only for how the lower phase morphs into state socialism when in the wrong hands. But also because it sounds like it involves some kind of break between two separate societies, and that the first phase would involve guidance. We don’t need guidance to learn communist principles, they have long been a part of how humans interact with one another. But I see people get hung up on the phase distinction all the time, which in turn leads to state planning seeming appropriate. 

There aren’t supposed to be two separate communisms. The phases are a part of the same process. Any higher phase would clearly be impossible unless its lower phase was in fact the birth of human liberation. The state can’t wither away if an army of guys in newsboy caps are pointlessly forcing workers into the fields every day at gunpoint. That the state would be withering away is not an invitation for organizational hierarchy. It means that we enter the communist world as capitalist subjects, who must struggle in order to overcome capitalism’s impact on our collective consciousness and reach any higher potential. The state can’t be a part of aiding struggle because overthrowing capitalism only comes with the elimination of the state. The state is a roadblock cutting us off from any struggle to test our potential. That struggle requires the state’s elimination as a precondition.

An actual communist world could very well deepen contradictions. It could make some of our problems more complex. New problems would reveal themselves once you’ve eliminated the ones we’re dealing with now. Even abundance may not be as magical as it seems. The value in abundance is that it eliminates coercion, but it is not the goal in and of itself and it does not guarantee peace and harmony. How that abundance affects our social relations is what matters, and it hopefully would just allow us to relate to one another in new, less destructive ways. 

There’s the weird idea, even among MLs, that communism must be easy from the onset in order to be successful, that it requites preparation and a countdown clock. There’s no reason it can’t be extremely difficult, birthed in difficult, contingent conditions. We would have to go through the process of maturation without instruction and together manage our mistakes in order for the communist world to meaningfully take shape. Breht Revleft Radio wouldn’t need to stand over our shoulders the whole time. The process would have enormous obstacles, yes, and it would still likely be preferable to what we’re dealing with now. 

You can have a stateless, classless, moneyless society where everybody is at each other’s throats while in the process of laying its foundation. Why can’t you? Why does it have to be capitalism, climate disaster, and barrel bombs versus literal heaven on earth? Why would anybody need to evolve first? Because we’re scared violence might breakout? Do you know what’s been happening in Syria or Yemen over the last decade?

The reason it bothers me is that I feel like you need to get this across somehow and not let people think communism is this violent leap directly into stress-free living. Yes, that would be very unlikely! But we don’t need guarantees that our problems will all be resolved on some spiritual level. You’re never going to rid the world of contradictions. But this isn’t the fucking issue! The issue is whether or not communism, even at its predictably difficult onset, is better than what we’re living through now, or what we’re being offered. On what grounds would communism be preferable? Are the current conditions forcing our hand anyway? Is there even an other option at this point, beyond mass suffering and ecocide? Can you counter everything I’ve said and explain why running Matt Bruenig or Connor Kilpatrick or whoever for president in 2024 is going to get us out of the crisis?

I think we need some plan for climate change that affirms humanity, seeing as though humankind is what we’re trying to save. Talking about it only in terms of nature, with the always-implicit idea that we are not an aspect of nature ourselves, makes it easier for fascists to solve the problem. For me, communism is the gateway towards building up our collective self-esteem in defense against the worst impulses of the right. 

The movement towards communism would be one that solves issues by highlighting and negating the logic of capitalism through actions that necessarily plant one foot forward into a fully decommodified world. People are currently being made houseless in the middle of an economic crisis despite there being enough empty housing for everyone in the country. A communist movement would negate the logic of capitalism and fill those empty houses through force via collective action. This would loudly affirm human worth, demonstrate an alternative vision for the world, and highlight the absurdity of being ruled by an economic system, all at once.

No, we don’t want blueprints insofar as they design our future, but we can address the implications of communist principles in order to clarify what we’re actually fighting for. We need a basic life-affirming vision right now. I don’t think mild yet still impossible welfare reforms are going to cut it. If you’re still bickering with Democrats about votes and non-votes, as if you can scold them into not being a capitalist party, you should realize that you’ve hit a wall.

No clue how to get people on board with even the horizon not being perfect. It makes sense to me, but people don’t seem to like the idea! I’m told that in order to take the present situation seriously, we have to abandon ideas around a future society’s principles, even ones that actually help give us direction in the here and now. Never mind that I'm poor and vulnerable myself, struggling without ever abandoning the idea of total human liberation. I just think history shows us nothing but poor or otherwise greatly disadvantaged movements fighting for immediate gains and human liberation simultaneously. I think you see that in the movement for prison abolition right now, even if the need for revolution isn’t explicit.

I don’t think we’ll get anywhere unless there’s hard work done in clarifying communism or at least fleshing out a coherent vision around human emancipation and taking its principles and their implications seriously.

Or maybe we avert disaster by running Freddie de Boer for president in 2024, what do I know. It’s not like Liz Bruenig ever called me one of the greatest living writers of her generation.

[imagine-loki]

Pride and Prejudice

TITLE: Pride and Prejudice CHAPTER NO./ONE SHOT: Chapter 36 AUTHOR: wolfpawn

ORIGINAL IMAGINE: Imagine Loki was raised on Jotunheim as Laufey’s son after the war, but an agreement was then made that he would wed Odin’s daughter so Odin could secure the alliance of Jotunheim through the marriage. Loki, in turn, was raised to be king of Jotunheim, but how he views Asgard is far different from how Odin’s daughter is raised leading to a clash of cultures as well as uncertainty between the pair of betrothed youths.     RATING: Mature   NOTES/WARNINGS: Forced Marriage, not all fun and games. My first real step back into the Loki scene in over a year.

Tags - @skulliebythesea @asimovethroughthisworld @blackcherry26-blog @we-shadowhunter2901

Ella sat staring across the vast icy landscape of Jotunheim, thinking of the day that had been. She was startled by the fact that she missed Loki already. It had only been a few hours, but she found herself fretting for him as she did her brother, if not more. She did not worry for Thor as much, he was used to war at this stage. She never understood how her father allowed him to fight so often in such things when he was the future King of Asgard but since her father spent his youth similarly, she assumed it was due to him seeing no issue in it as he had done similar himself. She hoped whatever happened, any future for any son she could ever give Loki, she would not have to see him off to war. She did not think such would end well for her, she would fret for the entirety of the time he would be gone. For a moment, she thought of if she did not give Loki a son, such would, in its own way, be a blessing but her fate was sealed in their marriage contract, two sons, no matter what. Inhaling deeply, she got up from her seat and readied for bed, not in the mood for anything else, though she knew sleep would not come easy to her. 

The next day, she went to the throne room, noting that half the realm, or what was there and not at war seemed to be there and the tense atmosphere was palpable. Everyone wished to know what was going on but with so little time since their departure, there was no manner for Laufey to have received any form of news on the matter. 

Ella thought it peculiar to see Laufey no longer circled by his sons and Arden as he usually was, instead, he seemed almost isolated. There were guards and indeed junior advisors but it did not look the same. 

She listened for a time as Laufey spoke on matters and other agendas were dealt with but as the day came to a close, something came to her. There had been no mention of Byleistr and his mates. She knew Jotun heats lasted a significant length of time, usually five to ten days, and were incredibly exhausting for those involved in the situation but this changed a lot of things. Part of her wanted to say nothing, the other part knew she would need to say something. With the decision to say something to Laufey after the day so not to be seen to be interfering, she merely stood silently to the side. 

Her face must have shown her thoughts in some manner when Laufey noticed her because with a simple beckoning action, he had her brought forward. “Something is on your mind, Princess?” “I am merely thinking, in an animated manner it would seem, My King,” She smiled politely. 

“And what is it you are thinking?” Ella thought for a moment to fib but she was not one for lying. Loki always stated her honesty to be one of her better attributes, part of her felt she should be honest even in his absence. “If I may be so forward, My King, I am curious as to the situation with regards informing Prince Byleistr and his mates. I am aware that at present, he is not able to be reached for personal reasons but I would think with his location being closer to any attempt to breach the realm and with both of his brothers in the fray, he would wish to be informed and to get both of his mates to safety at the earliest possibility.” 

“I would think that to be an accurate assumption.” Laufey nodded solemnly for a moment, contemplating her words. “It is true that should there be an attempt to invade Jotunheim, that area of the realm is closer to their likely entry point and so too is it easier to isolate.” She nodded at his words cause Laufey to speak further on the matter. “When Asgard wars, what is the planned strategy?”

If Laufey felt she would be hesitant to answer, he did not show it, nor did Ella do such a thing. “There is a procedure in place for such things. It is neither complex or overly fancy. We know the issue is on Alfheim, so we secure any form of entry point between the realms at that point. Do not shut them entirely as often those are the areas news carriers will attempt to reach the realm and in the off chance that our forces are forced back, the innocent and the soldiers involved will wish to retreat through those gateways.” “Our men do not retreat.” One female Jotnar spat at her. 

“There was a war on Midgard, not too long ago, I think only about two decades, I cannot tell, life goes by so fast there, and there was an army, forced to retreat. They have these machines, tanks they call them, armoured with large guns, able to take most every terrain, they were pushed back to the edge of a landmass, their homeland only a short sea straight away, they retreated back to their land and regrouped, there, they were joined by others and together, they returned to the land they had retreated from before and fought the enemy once more. They were assisted, of course, by the central enemy fighting a war on multiple fronts, from the East and South as well as the West, but somethings a tactful retreat to regroup is the sanest option. Dying for no reason is not a good reason to die. I hope that should there be a manner for our men to do such themselves, they take it and we will be as successful as the Midgaridans in their war, if it, unfortunately, comes to that. I hope not but we must prepare accordingly.” She turned to face Laufey again and he nodded at her to continue. “We clear civilians from the area and we ready troops there in the offchance any of our enemies get through. You also apply a scorched earth strategy, put simply, we destroy any and all crops, water sources and anything else they can use to feed and tend to theirs if they get through. We should not do this until it is necessary and I know it sounds mad, especially now when the realm is finally starting to grow again, but one plant may feed them enough to advance even one step further. If Jotunheim needs to do this, we must ensure that those who lie behind us, whom we are the buffer for must assist us by way of soldiers and food for us if this needs to occur. This is Asgard’s own manner of practice in such events so for the Allfather to even deny considering assisting us, in the same manner, is hypocritical and it will not be stood for, so I would send a messenger to Asgard this instant to have it and Vanaheim ready supplies and men to do so if we need it.” 

Her words startled many amongst those gathered. There was a small number on Jotunheim who were incredibly sceptical of the future of the Jotunheim throne with the marriage between Loki and Ella, not during Loki’s reign as they knew that the prince was dedicated wholeheartedly to the needs of the realm but they were concerned as to after that when the child born to the couple would become King, they worried the Asgardian-loyal mother would have too much influence and force a situation of an unfit and an Asgard loyal King but her statement and her insistence that Asgard should do as they command forced them to consider that her loyalty was with her mate and his realm. 

Laufey gave an approving nod. “Very well. Godrick, do as my son’s mate states and have such a thing sent to Asgard. ” One of the junior advisors bowed and rushed off. “With regards to Byleistr, and indeed the evacuation of the areas closest our borders, that must be dealt with also. I need available guards to the different homesteads there, tell them to bring all valuables with them, anything that could help an enemy is to be brought. Starve them of any resource that could assist them. As for my son, he will need to be brought back at the earliest convenience.” One of the advisors stood forward, Ella knew he was one that was disgusted by Byleistr’s actions, not out of loyalty to Loki, but of a loyalist to tradition, and tradition did not allow for Byleistr’s actions. “But Sire, the land they are on is not overly inhabited, sending a soldier there is not going to be easy, it’s a long trek and it takes from the protection of those who need it most.” 

Others nodded in agreement. 

Ella looked around. “How far from anything is it, exactly, if I may be so bold as to ask?”

“The most of the afternoon from anything else.” The advisor stated. 

Laufey studied Ella’s face, he could see her calculating to herself. “A princess cannot be expected to do such a journey alone,” he insisted. 

“I would not expect you to allow my going alone, My King.” She looked to the side and noticed Greta looking at her curiously for a moment before the Frost Giant smiled slightly. “But I will not be alone, and my going there will signify the severity of the situation.” 

She stood and silently awaiting Laufey’s response. 

Laufey considered it for a moment before speaking again. “Very well, Greta, daughter of Cillian, you go with the Princess and retrieve my son and his mates while the guards assist the people and ready as she stated.” He sat back, his silent manner of signifying he was too tired to deal with anymore. 

Ella bowed slightly and made to make her way to Greta to see when the Jotnar would be ready to leave. 

“Sire,” One Jotnar stepped forward. “Surely you do not think it a good idea to allow one so small and vulnerable into the snows, what if she is attacked.” He indicated to Ella as he spoke. “I do not think it fair to have to have another risk their lives for such a thing.”

Ella did not mean to scoff, she simply had not been ready for the absurdity of the Frost Giant’s words. When he looked at her again she shot her arms straight out, causing two large daggers to come out of thin air, startling everyone, even Laufey before she scraped the two blades off one another and bright and intense flames blazed from them, the heat of which could be felt a few metres away. 

“I am sure that should any issue befall us, Micha,” Greta began. “Her Highness is capable of protection one as small and vulnerable as me.” 

[elisaphoenix13]

Normal Is Overrated

It was no secret that Peter stole Stephen's sweaters, but then Harley started taking Tony's shirts. It got to the point that Tony and Stephen wouldn't even bat an eye if they saw the boys wearing their clothes. Things only escalated from then on. Tony and Stephen were known to take each other's clothes, Peter and Harley had a sweater they constantly stole from each other (which was definitely Peter's) and would be seen going into the other's room just to get said sweater, and Diana? Even she stole clothes but it wasn't any of theirs. No, she always stole Cassie's clothes.

The first time she did, Cassie wasn't even home. Diana just went down to Scott and Quill's floor after getting an okay from FRIDAY that it was okay to do so, and went into Cassie's room. Both men shrugged it off because they thought maybe Diana had forgotten her crayons again, and returned their attention to the tv show they were watching. At least until the little girl yelled for the celestial.

"UNCLE QUILL!"

Quill sighs and sets his bottle of beer on the coffee table. "Why is it always me?"

"You spoil her and Cassie. This shouldn't be a surprise." Scott says with a snigger.

Quill just rolls his eyes as he moves to his feet and climbs the stairs up to Cassie's room where he finds Diana in the closet.

"What's wrong kiddo?"

"I wanna look at Cassie's clothes. Can you pick me up please?" She holds her arms out to him and the celestial raises an eyebrow.

"If you take anything and Cass finds out, I will deny having any part of this."

"Okay."

And that was that. Quill picked Diana up and held her so she could go through her honorary big sister's clothes and grab a couple of shirts and a sweater. Once she told Quill she was done, he set her back down and she skipped away with an armful of clothes and disappeared onto the elevator. FRIDAY took her back up to the family floor without having to be prompted, and when she stepped off, she walked right past Harley who looks down at her.

"What have you got there Dia?"

"Sissy's clothes!" Dia struggles to walk up the stairs with her arms full of clothes and Harley sighs.

"Come on." He picks her up by her armpits and Diana giggles as her brother helps her to the top of the stairs.

"Thank you Harley!"

The teen sniffs. "Yeah, sure."

Stephen steps out of the master bedroom just as Diana walks by and he raises an eyebrow when she disappears into her room with the armful of clothes. He looks to Harley for some kind of explanation but he just shakes his head with a look that said 'don't ask'. Stephen didn't. Dia was as independent as a five year old could be, and as long as she didn't get herself into trouble and respected the rules, Tony and Stephen let her. The boys were independent as well but they got into trouble on a weekly basis.

"Where's your father?" Stephen asks as he descends the stairs with Harley behind him.

"Downstairs in the lab. Said something about upgrading my suit." Harley replies. "Tibbs went with him."

Stephen chuckles. "They'll be down there for an age and a half then. How do you feel about shawarma for lunch?"

"Sounds like food!" Peter calls from the living room.

"Victor, the usual shawarma order please."

"It'll be here within the hour Doctor." The AI replies.

Stephen nods as he and Harley walk into the living room and the sorcerer swipes the bag of chips off the coffee table just as Peter reaches out to get some more chips. He complains loudly as the bag is returned to their cupboard through one of Stephen's gateways, but huffs when the man gives him the cliched line of "you'll ruin your lunch". They all knew it wasn't true because Peter could eat as much as three grown men, but it still wasn't healthy to eat an entire bag of chips.

"Hey Harls, wanna play?" Peter points at the tv that shows the menu screen for Mario Kart.

"Might as well." Harley thunks onto the couch next to Peter after he grabs a controller and Stephen goes into the kitchen to make himself some tea.

The next half hour passes somewhat quietly, with the boys game playing on the tv and the teenagers themselves either shouting at the game or whooping in excitement. Diana came down shortly after the boys started the game with a coloring book and wearing a sweater that most definitely wasn't hers, and Stephen momentarily forgot about his tea to look at the scene. To look at his kids. He had a life without them and his past self was content without children. He was a successful neurosurgeon that wanted for nothing and could come and go as he pleased.

Then he had the accident. He studied the Mystic Artes, and then met Tony. That was when his life was truly turned upside down. They had barely started dating when Peter became a permanent part of their lives, married for just a few months when Harley came next, and Diana came a month after. It had been a crazy year and a half for them all. Whenever he watched the kids like this though, the Ancient One's words always came back to him.

"I never saw your future, only its possibilities. You have such a capacity for goodness."

There were times he wondered if this was one of the possibilities she saw, but then he always came to the conclusion that it didn't matter. This was his reality now. The Stephen of the past lived happily without children or a relationship. The Stephen now couldn't picture his life without his husband or his kids. Not just them either. The Avengers too. They sometimes fought, made a mess, drove each other crazy...but they also had each other's backs. They took extra care to make sure Peter didn't ingest anything with mint, helped Harley train in and out of the Rescue suit, and the women took Diana out on occasion for a girl's day.

They were always considerate of Stephen's hands as well. If his hands shook and Tony or the boys weren't around, one of the members thay knew how to handle the massages helped him. The rare times he was sick? They stayed quiet and either Bucky or Wanda made dinner (and soup for Stephen). Tony had once stayed up for three days straight, and Quill noticed how Stephen and the kids tried to get him to go to bed. He made his own executive decision by knocking out the engineer and carrying him up to bed. Tony was not amused when he woke up, but Stephen had simply said it was his own fault for not coming willingly.

The point was, Stephen would choose his current chaotic life over his old one any day.

"Dude! That's so not cool! We said-" Peter stops midsentence, but Stephen couldn't see what he stopped to look down at from his angle in the kitchen.

He grabs his tea and takes a sip from the mug as he walks back into the living room to see what got both of the boys attention, and he actually dropped his mug in surprise. Peter and Harley had a very good reason to be staring, because it was at Diana. She was coloring with two crayons but only using one of her hands. The second crayon was floating as it filled in certain parts of the page she was working on, and not even the mug that Stephen dropped disturbed her. Things being broken was unfortunately a normal occurrence in the tower, so she just kept on coloring.

Even when she finally looked up when she noticed that Stephen wasn't cleaning up the mess. "What's wrong Mommy?"

"Y-You're using magic." The sorcerer stammers. "Diana...how long have you been able to do that?"

"I don't know." She says with a small shrug as she returns her attention to her coloring.

The train in the sorcerer's mind immediately derailed as he tried to wrap his head around what he was seeing. His daughter was using magic and making it look as easy as breathing. Maybe it was. Maybe she used it so easily because she came from it. It would make sense, Stephen would just need to keep a watchful eye on her. She seemed to have enough control of her abilities that he didn't have to worry just yet, but he still had questions.

He cleans up the mess he made and asks Harley to go downstairs to grab their lunch, as well as pull Tony out of the lab when Victor announces the arrival of their food, and then calmly sits on the couch next to Diana.

"Diana...is there anything else you can do?" He received a shrug for an answer. "Do you do this at school?"

"No."

Well that was a relief. "Good. Will you please tell me if you can do anything else or if you feel funny?"

"Yes, Mommy."

End of conversation. Stephen and Peter shared a look before the teen returned to his game, and the sorcerer gets up and returns to the kitchen so he could pace. Tony never mentioned anything strange happening during the five years Stephen and the boys were snapped, and neither did Cassie. Was there a certain age that magic could be used? All student that studied the Mystic artes were at the youngest, teenagers, so little was known when a person's magic could actually be used. Maybe there was a block until a certain age? Diana wasn't a good example to study though because she was created by magic. Things could be different for her.

Besides the obvious of course.

"...phen. Tesoro."

Stephen snaps out of his daze as Tony pulls his hand away from his mouth. "Tony, she used magic. Diana used magic."

Tony gently takes Stephen's face in his hands. "First of all, breathe. Second, was it anything dangerous?"

Stephen takes a shaky breath and then shakes his head. "No, no...nothing like that. She was just coloring-"

"Then stop worrying so much." Tony says gently and Stephen stares at him.

"What if she loses control? Or actually does do something dangerous?"

"What if she doesn't? For all we know she has natural control." Tony kisses away the younger man's retort and releases his face to join the kids at the table. "If she does, we'll cross that bridge when we get to it. You're more than capable of taking care of that scenario."

Stephen blinks. "How can you trust me to do that?"

Tony smiles. "Because I watched you go one on one with Thanos when he had four of the infinity stones."

Harley's eyes widen at his father's words. "You did what?! Badass!"

Tony had a point. It wasnt worth worrying about something that may not come to pass and he even brought up another good point. Diana could have natural control of magic, and if she did, Stephen would worry endlessly for nothing. He was better off taking care of anything that happened when or even if it happened. So he joins his family at the table (the kids obviously gathered while he was lost in his own mind) and Tony pushes the bag of food over to him.

"Eat. You did your mom thing and made sure everyone else got their food so now it's your turn."

"Tony..." Stephen sighs out but doesn't continue as he pulls his food out.

"You know, I just realized something." Harley says in between bites. When he swallows his next bite he looks up at his parents. "Dad's now seventeen years older than Mom..." Tony's eyes widen and he almost chokes on his mouthful of food at that new bit of information. "...and he also gets Mom whatever he wants or needs right? Doesn't that make him Mom's sugar daddy?"

Stephen was the next to choke on his food.

[wolfpawn]

Pride and Prejudice, Chapter 36

Story Summary - Based on an idea I had that I submitted to Imagine Loki. Imagine Loki was raised on Jotunheim as Laufey’s son after the war, but an agreement was then made that he would wed Odin’s daughter so Odin could secure the alliance of Jotunheim through the marriage. Loki, in turn, was raised to be king of Jotunheim, but how he views Asgard is far different from how Odin’s daughter is raised leading to a clash of cultures as well as uncertainty between the pair of betrothed youths.

Chapter Summary - War is a trying time and Ella is startled to see what is discussed, also how she is brought into discussions

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Ella sat staring across the vast icy landscape of Jotunheim, thinking of the day that had been. She was startled by the fact that she missed Loki already. It had only been a few hours, but she found herself fretting for him as she did her brother, if not more. She did not worry for Thor as much, he was used to war at this stage. She never understood how her father allowed him to fight so often in such things when he was the future King of Asgard but since her father spent his youth similarly, she assumed it was due to him seeing no issue in it as he had done similar himself. She hoped whatever happened, any future for any son she could ever give Loki, she would not have to see him off to war. She did not think such would end well for her, she would fret for the entirety of the time he would be gone. For a moment, she thought of if she did not give Loki a son, such would, in its own way, be a blessing but her fate was sealed in their marriage contract, two sons, no matter what. Inhaling deeply, she got up from her seat and readied for bed, not in the mood for anything else, though she knew sleep would not come easy to her. 

The next day, she went to the throne room, noting that half the realm, or what was there and not at war seemed to be there and the tense atmosphere was palpable. Everyone wished to know what was going on but with so little time since their departure, there was no manner for Laufey to have received any form of news on the matter. 

Ella thought it peculiar to see Laufey no longer circled by his sons and Arden as he usually was, instead, he seemed almost isolated. There were guards and indeed junior advisors but it did not look the same. 

She listened for a time as Laufey spoke on matters and other agendas were dealt with but as the day came to a close, something came to her. There had been no mention of Byleistr and his mates. She knew Jotun heats lasted a significant length of time, usually five to ten days, and were incredibly exhausting for those involved in the situation but this changed a lot of things. Part of her wanted to say nothing, the other part knew she would need to say something. With the decision to say something to Laufey after the day so not to be seen to be interfering, she merely stood silently to the side. 

Her face must have shown her thoughts in some manner when Laufey noticed her because with a simple beckoning action, he had her brought forward. “Something is on your mind, Princess?” “I am merely thinking, in an animated manner it would seem, My King,” She smiled politely. 

“And what is it you are thinking?” Ella thought for a moment to fib but she was not one for lying. Loki always stated her honesty to be one of her better attributes, part of her felt she should be honest even in his absence. “If I may be so forward, My King, I am curious as to the situation with regards informing Prince Byleistr and his mates. I am aware that at present, he is not able to be reached for personal reasons but I would think with his location being closer to any attempt to breach the realm and with both of his brothers in the fray, he would wish to be informed and to get both of his mates to safety at the earliest possibility.” 

“I would think that to be an accurate assumption.” Laufey nodded solemnly for a moment, contemplating her words. “It is true that should there be an attempt to invade Jotunheim, that area of the realm is closer to their likely entry point and so too is it easier to isolate.” She nodded at his words cause Laufey to speak further on the matter. “When Asgard wars, what is the planned strategy?”

If Laufey felt she would be hesitant to answer, he did not show it, nor did Ella do such a thing. “There is a procedure in place for such things. It is neither complex or overly fancy. We know the issue is on Alfheim, so we secure any form of entry point between the realms at that point. Do not shut them entirely as often those are the areas news carriers will attempt to reach the realm and in the off chance that our forces are forced back, the innocent and the soldiers involved will wish to retreat through those gateways.” “Our men do not retreat.” One female Jotnar spat at her. 

“There was a war on Midgard, not too long ago, I think only about two decades, I cannot tell, life goes by so fast there, and there was an army, forced to retreat. They have these machines, tanks they call them, armoured with large guns, able to take most every terrain, they were pushed back to the edge of a landmass, their homeland only a short sea straight away, they retreated back to their land and regrouped, there, they were joined by others and together, they returned to the land they had retreated from before and fought the enemy once more. They were assisted, of course, by the central enemy fighting a war on multiple fronts, from the East and South as well as the West, but somethings a tactful retreat to regroup is the sanest option. Dying for no reason is not a good reason to die. I hope that should there be a manner for our men to do such themselves, they take it and we will be as successful as the Midgaridans in their war, if it, unfortunately, comes to that. I hope not but we must prepare accordingly.” She turned to face Laufey again and he nodded at her to continue. “We clear civilians from the area and we ready troops there in the offchance any of our enemies get through. You also apply a scorched earth strategy, put simply, we destroy any and all crops, water sources and anything else they can use to feed and tend to theirs if they get through. We should not do this until it is necessary and I know it sounds mad, especially now when the realm is finally starting to grow again, but one plant may feed them enough to advance even one step further. If Jotunheim needs to do this, we must ensure that those who lie behind us, whom we are the buffer for must assist us by way of soldiers and food for us if this needs to occur. This is Asgard’s own manner of practice in such events so for the Allfather to even deny considering assisting us, in the same manner, is hypocritical and it will not be stood for, so I would send a messenger to Asgard this instant to have it and Vanaheim ready supplies and men to do so if we need it.” 

Her words startled many amongst those gathered. There was a small number on Jotunheim who were incredibly sceptical of the future of the Jotunheim throne with the marriage between Loki and Ella, not during Loki’s reign as they knew that the prince was dedicated wholeheartedly to the needs of the realm but they were concerned as to after that when the child born to the couple would become King, they worried the Asgardian-loyal mother would have too much influence and force a situation of an unfit and an Asgard loyal King but her statement and her insistence that Asgard should do as they command forced them to consider that her loyalty was with her mate and his realm. 

Laufey gave an approving nod. “Very well. Godrick, do as my son’s mate states and have such a thing sent to Asgard. ” One of the junior advisors bowed and rushed off. “With regards to Byleistr, and indeed the evacuation of the areas closest our borders, that must be dealt with also. I need available guards to the different homesteads there, tell them to bring all valuables with them, anything that could help an enemy is to be brought. Starve them of any resource that could assist them. As for my son, he will need to be brought back at the earliest convenience.” One of the advisors stood forward, Ella knew he was one that was disgusted by Byleistr’s actions, not out of loyalty to Loki, but of a loyalist to tradition, and tradition did not allow for Byleistr’s actions. “But Sire, the land they are on is not overly inhabited, sending a soldier there is not going to be easy, it’s a long trek and it takes from the protection of those who need it most.” 

Others nodded in agreement. 

Ella looked around. “How far from anything is it, exactly, if I may be so bold as to ask?”

“The most of the afternoon from anything else.” The advisor stated. 

Laufey studied Ella’s face, he could see her calculating to herself. “A princess cannot be expected to do such a journey alone,” he insisted. 

“I would not expect you to allow my going alone, My King.” She looked to the side and noticed Greta looking at her curiously for a moment before the Frost Giant smiled slightly. “But I will not be alone, and my going there will signify the severity of the situation.” 

She stood and silently awaiting Laufey’s response. 

Laufey considered it for a moment before speaking again. “Very well, Greta, daughter of Cillian, you go with the Princess and retrieve my son and his mates while the guards assist the people and ready as she stated.” He sat back, his silent manner of signifying he was too tired to deal with anymore. 

Ella bowed slightly and made to make her way to Greta to see when the Jotnar would be ready to leave. 

“Sire,” One Jotnar stepped forward. “Surely you do not think it a good idea to allow one so small and vulnerable into the snows, what if she is attacked.” He indicated to Ella as he spoke. “I do not think it fair to have to have another risk their lives for such a thing.”

Ella did not mean to scoff, she simply had not been ready for the absurdity of the Frost Giant’s words. When he looked at her again she shot her arms straight out, causing two large daggers to come out of thin air, startling everyone, even Laufey before she scraped the two blades off one another and bright and intense flames blazed from them, the heat of which could be felt a few metres away. 

“I am sure that should any issue befall us, Micha,” Greta began. “Her Highness is capable of protection one as small and vulnerable as me.” 

[littleladymab]

tiny cracks of light - chapter fourteen

(master post) 

Prelude- Georgie actually laughs when he tells her about the promotion. "You've turned it down, right?" she says, though the amusement drains from her expression as he looks away. "Jon, you turned down this job you're grossly unqualified for, didn’t you?" 

"I… Not really." 

"Bullshit not really, what sort of answer is that? You either have or you haven't." She swings her feet off the window seat, where they were pressed against his thigh, and she leans in to glare at him. "Why haven't you?" 

"I merely haven't given an answer yet. I asked to think it over." He fiddles with the hem of his coat. It's stifling in this room, even in a dream, but he feels awkward taking it off now.

Georgie snorts and leans back, crossing her arms over her chest. "Then when you go in tomorrow, you'll turn it down." 

"Why should I?" he asks despite himself, just to be contrary, and it only earns him another glare. "The Watcher requested me specifically." 

She rolls her eyes and gets up to start pacing. "Then that entire branch is going to fall off the tree, and you're better off not being tied to it. Surely they can just hire someone already at that Archive." 

"There is only one assistant remaining." 

"Then they can have that job." 

"I was… I was given the impression that she didn't want it…?" Jon realizes how ridiculous it sounds the moment he says it, and Georgie's ever lifting eyebrow does little to assuage the doubts. 

"Have you spoken to her about it?" 

He shakes his head. 

"Well then!" She tosses her hands into the air. "Tell them you don't want the job, this assistant can have the position in the meantime, and they can find someone more qualified."

"I don't see why I shouldn't be allowed to take the job!" he counters, rising to his feet as well. "I don't see why you think you have any qualification to tell me how to live my life—" 

"It's because we're friends—" 

"Then why don't you support me?" It comes out weaker than he wants, and he can feel the desperation in his tone. That childish need for some sort of connection and approval. 

He hates himself for it. 

Georgie's shoulders slump and she looks away. "You're right, Jon," she says eventually. "I ultimately don't have the authority to make you pick one way or another. All I can do is offer advice." When she looks back at him, he has to fight back the need to apologize. "I hope whatever you choose works out for you, truly, I do." 

"Georgie, I—" 

She leaves the dream before he can get the rest of the thought around whatever jumbled emotion has caught in his throat. 

Jon stands there in the middle of the room, the silence thundering in his ears. He tries to breathe. It doesn't work. He tries again, a ragged inhale. 

Third attempt, and the lodged emotion breaks loose to flood every inch of him. 

He wakes up gasping for breath and tears in his eyes. 

Basira and Tim have the horses saddled and ready to go when Sasha arrives, so they mount up and head back out to the lake as quickly as possible. 

Sasha spares a glance over Tim's shoulder at the Archives, hoping for some sort of sign that Martin has received the note — or is there, or even that he's okay. 

There's so much she wants to know, but doesn't have the strength needed to push back on the Eye. Something surrounds Martin that keeps him from her, similar to what kept Georgie's spell from being able to track him. 

There is little opportunity to talk on the ride, and they keep the breaks to a minimum. Nothing follows them, as far as Sasha is able to tell. She wonders if she might be overreacting, but the Eye urges her forward. 

It wants the Archivist back.

The lake is just as quiet as when they visited it before. The depths of it are darker, and Sasha freezes on the bank as she stares at the still waters. 

Slowly, she tilts her gaze up to the sky. There are streaks of gold and dark pink of the sunset, but it is only a matter of time before it is night. "So it will be like that after all," she says to herself. 

Tim takes her hand, and she grips it fiercely as they step into the lake together.

The remains of their camp are easy to revive, and soon there is a fire burning merrily. They prepare a light meal, and sit down scattered across the shore, waiting. 

Sasha puts it off as long as she can, struggling to figure out the best way to explain the situation. She can feel Daisy's gaze on her, heavy and guarded. Tim doesn't make it easy through no fault of his own. His warmth at her side is comforting, and his fingers occasionally graze over her elbow or her knee. 

"Why does it feel like we're at a funeral?" Melanie grumbles as she picks at her food, feeding pieces of it to the Admiral. 

"Is this going to be Jon's second birthday, or something?" Tim jokes, though the smile doesn't make it all the way to his eyes. 

Sasha shakes her head and pulls her knees up to her chest. "Not really. A homecoming, more like. The Watcher was right in saying that he has been on a mission for the Eye, so to speak." At the mention of the Eye, Sasha starts to trace a pattern into the sand. 

When she realizes the shape that her fingers form, she forces herself to change it. She switches to the symbol she left on the note to Martin — a sigil to disguise and confuse. Over and over until the sand beside her is littered with it, and still she hasn't explained what she wants to. 

Eventually, she sighs and forces herself to relax. This is what it has built up to, after all. It all leads back to this. 

Sasha lifts her head and looks out at the lake. "Those of us here have the strongest ties to Jon. The core piece of him, the one that I retrieved from the End, will be the focus point. I… will be the focus point." 

"Oh," Georgie says softly. "Oh, Sasha." 

Basira's brow furrows and she looks from Sasha to Georgie, and then understanding creeps across her face as well. 

At her side, Tim goes completely still. Beneath the surface, his anger threatens to boil over, but for now, he manages to keep it under control. "You'll what?" he asks, and Sasha closes her eyes. 

"She will be a gateway, channeling the tethers," Georgie explains, her face pale despite the warmth of the fire highlighting her cheeks. "It—" She can't manage to finish the sentence. 

Melanie reaches for her. "It won't end well, will it?" 

Tim slams a hand into the sand between them and the flames leap with his anger. "Like fuck you will," he says, turning towards Sasha. "There has to be another way." 

At some point, Sasha starts shaking her head. "If I rely on the Eye, then the person who comes back won't be Jon. And I… I can't let that happen." 

Martin's words come back to her, clearer now after her conversation with Lukas. None of this means anything if he's not safe.

"Why not?" Tim's voice breaks, turning the question into a plea. 

"He's the only one that can stop this—" 

"What? Stop what, and why should that be more important than you—" 

She lifts a hand to touch his cheek, and he bites his tongue to hold the rest of his anger in check. She wants to tell him to trust her, or that everything will be alright. 

But she can see the embers in his eyes and knows that part of the reason they are there is her fault. "I didn't know, or at least, I had hoped…" 

"That it wouldn't come to this?" 

Sasha hesitates, then nods, and he covers her hand with his own.

"Neither of us should have come back," he mutters. 

She leans up and kisses him. "You don't mean that." 

"One day does not make up for three years, Sasha." 

"It's going to have to." 

Tim exhales through gritted teeth, and bit by bit, the fire settles back to normal. "You always did care too much about this job," he says and lets her go. 

"My greatest flaw," she jokes, and at least Tim manages a small, strained laugh. 

When she looks back at the others, they've all averted their gaze and keep themselves occupied with whatever thing they could find. "It's almost time," she says. 

Georgie drops the facade immediately. "You don't have to be the one to do this, Sasha." 

Melanie hisses and smacks her girlfriend's arm. "Don't you dare suggest that you could." 

She ignores Melanie, holding Sasha's gaze steady. "I know him best out of any of us. And my skill set might be more… suited to this work." 

"Georgie Barker, you don't owe that man anything—!" 

"I don't, but that shouldn't have to mean anything for a friend." 

Tim remains silent. 

Sasha rises to her feet and their argument falters. She brushes off her skirts and straightens her shoulders. "I need you as a support. You and Basira." 

Basira rises at the sound of her name. "Just tell us what to do." 

"I think you will both know better than I. I don't work with spirits or souls." She holds out her hands in a gesture towards the lake, and steps around the fire to lead the way. 

In the center, she guides Georgie and Basira into position on either side of her. 

"Are you sure this is a good idea?" Basira asks, voice low. "It didn't seem to work last time." 

"I was careless last time. I misunderstood the task set before me." Sasha takes their hands in hers and gives each woman a look. "If it starts to go wrong, and the Stranger tries to take over, then stop. Daisy will take care of the rest." 

Georgie's mouth is set into a firm line. "And what will happen to Jon, if that happens?" 

"If I'm successful, then my hope is he's fast enough to get his ass back here to stop it, should that happen." She attempts a smile, but neither of them seem keen on matching it. So instead she huffs a sigh and shakes her head. "The honest answer is I don't know. There's a disconnect, obviously, and he and I are like reflections. But we each have the pieces of us that make us human — that's all of you — and the pieces of us that make us something else. The Eye, the Stranger, so on." 

"And the Archivist…?" 

"Is what happens if Jon isn't strong enough. The same way the Stranger took over my body when it had the chance. I need both of you to gather those pieces of him, and to bind them together." 

Georgie nods and swallows. "I'm ready." 

Basira gives a curt nod as well. 

"Alright…" Sasha steadies herself with a breath and joins Georgie's and Basira's hands on either side of her. "Here we go." 

"Wait—!" 

The cold hits her like a wall, and Sasha's head whips back towards the shore. 

Standing there, silhouetted by the fire, is Martin. He meets her startled gaze with grim determination. "I'll do it," he says. "I'll find Jon."

[webinfomatrix9]

Best E commerce Solution For Small Business

This post walks through the 5 Top Ecommerce Solutions for little businesses, supported third-party reviews collected on WEBINFOMATRIX.

The top 5 products included during this post are, Webinfomatrix, BigCommerce, Shopify, Squarespace, and WooCommerce.

Information like common use cases, reviewer demographics, and favorite reviewer features are highlighted for every product.

Figuring out what sort of ecommerce solutions will suit your business best can desire an uphill battle, given what percentage options are available. this is often very true if you’re just starting your

Ecommerce Solutions services , or if your business may be a small ecommerce operation with tight budget constraints.

Based on reviews collected by Webinfomatrix, we’ve come up with a recommendation for the highest 5 ecommerce products for little businesses.

The products below are a mixture of various sorts of ecommerce software. The three sorts of software during this article include solutions designed specifically for ecommerce businesses (e.g. Shopify and BigCommerce), content management system (CMS) products (e.g. Wix and Squarespace) that have strong web design capabilities, and ecommerce plugins (e.g. WooCommerce).

Even though CMS products aren’t specifically designed for the ecommerce industry

E commerce Solutions services, this sort of software is usually wont to build and maintain ecommerce websites. the 2 CMS products included within the list below are a number of the foremost popular content management products employed by online sellers.

Inclusion criteria

Even though there are 183 ecommerce products listed on Webinfomatrix, not all of them are an excellent fit small businesses. Some platforms are specifically designed for enterprise-level companies and should be over budget. Other products could be marketed towards smaller businesses, but don’t have validation from third-party reviews that they’re the simplest options available.

Here are the three criteria products must have met so as to qualify together of the highest 5 ecommerce solutions for little businesses:

Products must be featured on the Ecommerce Platforms TrustMap for little Businesses (1-50 employees)

Products must have a Webinfomatrix of seven .5/10 or higher

Products must be ‘customer verified’ (indicating the merchandise has a minimum of 10 reviews published within the past year)

As of December 2019, here are all the products that are represented on the

Ecommerce Solutions services for small business Webinfomatrix for little Businesses:

Even though of these products are featured on the Webinfomatrix, not all of them meet the opposite two criteria. Here’s the list of products, so as of their TRScore, that meet all three requirements:

Webinfomatrix

BigCommerce

Shopify

Squarespace

WooCommerce

#1.WEB INFOMATRIX

Transactions of products and services or money over Internet or Intranet is named Electronic Commerce. This aspect has opened an altogether new world for businesspersons, especially within the world of Internet.

It doesn’t matter whether you’re alittle executive or the one that features a huge business, E-Commerce has something to supply to everyone! In some cases, it’s even made a couple of people very wealthy. However, it’s extremely important to settle on the proper and most credible platform to integrate your online transactions.

That is why we are here for you. We at Web infomatrix offer honest and competent E-commerce services arrayed with features like payment gateway integration, data management, handcart , social networking solutions and a good range of other services to take care of an ideal establishment with our clients.

#2. BigCommerce

BigCommerce is a cloud-based ecommerce platform designed for multiple types of online businesses, including B2B, B2C, wholesalers, international sellers, and multi-channel online stores. It offers users core ecommerce capabilities like a customizable online storefront, product catalog, shopping cart, and secure checkout with multiple payment options (e.g. PayPal, Square, Apple Pay, Stripe, Amazon Pay, etc).

In addition to these features, BigCommerce also includes onsite conversion rate boosting tools (e.g. SEO, coupons, discounts), shipping capability, and cross-channel selling options (e.g. social channels, and marketplaces like Amazon, eBay, Google Shopping, etc). BigCommerce provides access to APIs that can help users deeply customize store merchandise and checkout. Businesses can also integrate third-party data from ERP, or CRM systems using the APIs. BigCommerce reviewers appreciate how easy it is to input product information, the ease of placing shipping orders, and flexibility to customize both the frontend and backend of their ecommerce website.

“I use BigCommerce for our online store where we sell mainly CDs and film posters, as well as other entertainment memorabilia. I am the only user who does everything from design to shipping (it’s a small company). I love how easy it is to put in new products, sort them, get paid, and ship them. BigCommerce is the easiest online store program I have ever used.”

#3. Shopify

Shopify is a cloud-based ecommerce platform well-suited for individuals who want to start an online business or company that uses different selling channels (e.g. ecommerce website, online marketplaces, physical storefront, social channels, etc). Notably, Shopify has a ‘buy button’ that allows individuals to turn their existing blog, or website, into an online store by making the items available to be purchased. Users also have access to core ecommerce features such as an online storefront with over 70 available themes, unlimited product catalog, shopping cart, and secure checkout that accepts multiple payment types (e.g. visa credit/debit, Apple Pay, Google Pay, etc).

Shopify also has advanced features, including abandoned cart recovery, SEO and marketing tools, and inventory management. Shopify Reviewers on TrustRadius appreciate how easy it is to use the platform for individuals with little to no coding experience, the wide range of website themes available, and how scalable the platform is.

“We currently use Shopify as the platform for our official skincare e-commerce website. We have found it to be the best platform we have discovered thus far, especially if you are someone who is not very good at developing a website from scratch… Shopify offers limitless themes, some are free and others are available at a decent cost.

#4 Squarespace

Squarespace is a CMS platform that allows users to build their own websites, create and publish content, and optimize their website with SEO & marketing tools. Common types of sites built with Squarespace include ecommerce stores, corporate websites, blogs, and web portfolios (e.g. photography, music, media, art).

For users that want to set up an online store, Squarespace offers a range of core ecommerce features and additional capabilities. These include customizable website templates, unlimited product catalog, shopping cart, inventory management capabilities, secure checkout and abandoned cart recovery, and an automatic shipping cost calculator. Squarespace reviewers on TrustRadius value the beautifully designed site elements to choose from, the ease of editing templates, and overall ease of use for users that don’t have extensive coding experience.

“Squarespace provides solutions for our clients in the areas of blogging, eCommerce, gorgeous user experience, modern look, third party integrations, appointment booking and many other features…eCommerce: Squarespace provides a thorough and comprehensive solution for eCommerce. There are analytics, inventory tracking, variants, shipping, third party integration, easy to build and use options for users to build a secure store.”

#5WooCommerce

WooCommerce is a popular open-source ecommerce plugin for WordPress that’s managed through GitHub. As an open-source software, developers can contribute code that expands the platform’s functionality for all users. For example, WooCommerce currently has over 400 official integrations with various third-party software (e.g. payment gateways, shipping software, marketing platforms).

Users can customize their WordPress-powered online store using WooCommerce features like unique themes and web page layout design tools. Product categories, tags, and attributes also make it easier for shoppers to find the specific products they’re looking for. WooCommerce reviewers love how simple it is to integrate the plugin with WordPress, how user-friendly it is, and the wide range of other plugins and integrations available.

“Currently, I am at a Start-Up Website Marketing company. We offer numerous different services to help Small Businesses achieve success. I currently use WooCommerce to sell full E-Commerce stores, as well as different marketing packages for Small Businesses. I am currently the only person working for my company. WooCommerce makes it possible for a small business such as myself to sell products and services.”

Additional Product Research Resources

Wondering where you’ll find more resources to assist together with your product research?

Check out our ecommerce platforms category page for a fast rundown on what exactly ecommerce software is and therefore the main capabilities included. you’ll also find an inventory of ecommerce products with individually vetted, third-party reviews here.

If you’ve narrowed down your shortlist to a couple of key options and are able to do a deep dive on these products, our Buyer’s Guide to Ecommerce Platforms has in-depth information for 7 leading ecommerce platforms. It also includes feature comparison charts, reviewer demographic information, and customer satisfaction metrics for every product.

Talking directly with the seller are often an excellent source of data too. But before doing so, confirm you’ve got an honest sense of the key features your ecommerce software will got to have so you’ll confirm these with the seller .

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